Corporate Heroes: Businesses Rally to Support Ukraine Amidst Geopolitical Turmoil

Corporate Heroes: Businesses Rally to Support Ukraine Amidst Geopolitical Turmoil

(IN BRIEF) Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and geopolitical uncertainties, numerous companies from both Ukraine and around the world have demonstrated remarkable support by offering financial, material, and essential resources to aid the Ukrainian government and its people. This article highlights the stories of two businesses that have gone above and beyond to provide assistance during these challenging times. TIMAK, based in Albania, specializes in customizing emergency vehicles and played a pivotal role in delivering ambulances to Ukraine. Task Force, a translation company in Kyiv, Ukraine, not only survived adversity but also expanded its services to support humanitarian efforts during the war. These businesses exemplify the power of compassion, unity, and corporate responsibility in times of crisis.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 7-NOV-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — In the face of recent geopolitical turmoil and Russia’s ongoing War on Ukraine, we have witnessed not only the resilience of the Ukrainian people, but also remarkable support from different corners of the globe.

Companies in Ukraine and around the world have stepped up to offer both financial and material assistance, and also vital resources to the Ukrainian government and its people.

These corporate heroes stand as a testament to the power of compassion, unity, and corporate responsibility in the face of adversity.

The EBRD and Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), have assisted two of these business heroes: TIMAK in Albania and Task Force in Ukraine.

Young entrepreneur pioneers emergency vehicle solutions

Based in Tirana, Albania, TIMAK was founded in 2020 by Arjeta Puca, a young entrepreneur who has the notable distinction of having started and built her business during the Covid-19 pandemic and simultaneously supported Ukraine after Russia invaded on 24 February 2022.

TIMAK specialises in customising vehicles to meet specific requirements, primarily catering to the emergency services, police, and defence forces in Albania and beyond. The company builds a variety of specialised vehicles, including ambulances, mobile clinics, police vehicles, fire engines and more, working closely with major vehicle manufacturers to transform their standard models to suit the unique needs of their clients.

“This process involves adapting the interior design, installing specialised equipment, and ensuring that the vehicles meet the rigorous standards necessary for their intended use,” says Arjeta. “We proudly produce our vehicles in Albania and export to numerous countries, adhering to strict European production standards with an efficient production process, which allows us to deliver in shorter timeframes without compromising on quality or reliability.”

The company’s competitive pricing and international experience allows it to provide customised solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients.

Delivering ambulances to Ukraine

Last year, TIMAK’s burgeoning reputation for quality and reliability led to it receiving an email from a health company in Austria that collaborates with the World Health Organization.

The company said it was in urgent need of 11 ambulances to provide to Ukraine and asked whether they could deliver them within two weeks. Despite the challenging timeline, understanding the critical situation on the ground motivated Arjeta to take on the task.

“We managed to mobilise our resources and workforce to expedite the production process. It was a demanding period, but knowing that our ambulances could make a difference in such a dire situation made all our efforts worthwhile. We successfully sent all 11 ambulances, and it has been a profoundly rewarding experience to contribute in such a meaningful way,” says Arjeta.

Because of the extraordinarily quick delivery and subsequent international media publicity, the company received orders for an additional 50 ambulances to be produced locally and around the world.

Preparing for expansion

As a start-up experiencing rapid growth, Arjeta sought support from the EBRD in 2022, recognising the need for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to streamline operations and enhance efficiencies within the business.

The EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses team in Albania were instrumental in this transition, generously covering expenses associated with implementing the ERP system while playing a vital role in ensuring the process was tailored to the company’s specific needs.

Arjeta says the support made a significant difference, helping her to manage the company’s growth and successfully optimise operations.

Company DNA

‘TIMAK’ derives from Arjeta’s father’s name, Shpetim, and her nephew’s name, Timothy, both of whom are affectionately known as just ‘Tim’, with ‘Mak’ being an abbreviation of the word ‘Machinery’ or ‘Makinë’ in Albanian. So, in essence, TIMAK represents a blend of personal family significance to Arjeta, combined with the industry in which it operates.

The company is committed to contributing to the development of Albania by increasing domestic production and creating employment opportunities and support for women in a typically male dominated industry.

Indeed, the company currently employs a majority women workforce, which is atypical for this line of business, and is also working on a number of sustainable initiatives, including a collaboration with the Albanian Government to establish a new venture aimed at manufacturing the first Albanian cars, which will be fully electric.

In Arjeta’s words, “To the best of my knowledge, this initiative will position us as one of the first car manufacturing companies owned and operated by women. We are immensely proud of this venture, as it not only represents a significant step forward in sustainable transportation, but also stands as a testament to the capability and resilience of women in the automotive industry. This endeavour will also be a source of national pride, demonstrating Albania’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and gender equality.”

At 36 years of age, when you combine Arjeta’s youth and achievements in business to date with her support for social change and solidarity with Ukraine, she demonstrates compassion and maturity beyond her years. It is clear that, under her stewardship, the company has a bright future and is destined for even greater things.

Supporting Ukraine from within

Ukraine may still be at war, but that hasn’t stopped Nataliya and Stanislav Horbachevskiy and their team from growing their Kyiv-based translation business and climbing the ranks. Today, Task Force is ranked within the top 25 Eastern European language service providers and the top five fastest sustainably growing LSPs in the world.

The EBRD and Sweden helped the entrepreneurial couple behind Ukraine’s rising translation company Task Force to enhance its corporate governance and pursue a new strategy.

With 12 years of experience under their belt, Nataliya and Stanislav provide a whole suite of translation services in over 100 languages to global clients. They have complemented this line of business with private transportation services. But when the war broke out in Ukraine, they redirected their resources towards humanitarian causes. Today, their business supports the translation needs of Ukrainian children being evacuated for treatment abroad, refugees, and entrepreneurs relocating their business outside of Ukraine.

“I always answer this question the same way,” says Stanislav, when asked about how he and his wife Nataliya balance their business partnership with their marriage.

“It’s actually great because you never run out of things to talk about; although sometimes Natalya tries to discuss business on Sundays,” he chuckles. Nataliya nods in agreement, admitting that she can be somewhat of a workaholic at times.

Entrepreneurial power couple

Nataliya and Stanislav were an entrepreneurial-driven couple long before the war on Ukraine galvanised them into humanitarian action.

Natalya worked for a global law firm for 10 years where she was exposed to the intricacies of translating complex legal texts. Although translators can toil for years at their craft, attempting to bridge the most difficult languages, their work is often underestimated and unappreciated. Inspired by her passion for philology and encouraged to start her own venture, she founded Task Force in 2011 with a mission to transform the industry.

Nataliya was already hustling her way through entrepreneurship when she met Stanislav in Kyiv.

Running late to a meeting, she hailed his taxi. A casual conversation sparked a profound moment of connection. They both mustered the courage to exchange numbers, and the rest is history.

Inspired by Nataliya’s drive and passion for entrepreneurship, Stanislav founded his own pet project: a passenger transportation service that provides business and premium car transfers in Kyiv and all around Ukraine.

“Stas is really good at networking and sales. He never has any trouble approaching people,” says Nataliya. “That’s why we complement each other so well,” she adds.”

Together, they worked hard to establish Task Force as a leading language service provider which, as Nataliya emphasises, does more than just sell translation services. Task Force operates as an effective intermediary, outsourcing and managing complex projects. The company also boasts its own layout and desktop publishing department.

In the seven years since its founding, Task Force has firmly established itself in its niche, built ties with companies around the world, and cemented its reputation as a leading language service provider in Ukraine.

Surviving adversity

Thanks to the company’s strong structure, which the EBRD and Sweden supported with tailored business advice in organisational development, financial management, corporate governance, the management at Task Force were able to stay on course and maintain operations during the war.

Stanislav recounts how he received calls from everyone he knew when the war broke out. “There was no time to think. We placed our busses at the service of humanitarian efforts, evacuating people out of damaged cities, transporting food and vital supplies for charity organisations,” he says.

“I was worried that our business might collapse if we didn’t act quickly,” added Nataliya.

The company understood that translations are needed at war, whether for businesses which bravely continue their operations, patients being treated abroad, or refugees who need help with documents.

Despite the war, Task Force has not only managed to continue operations but has also been able to further strengthen and diversify its portfolio. Their focus has since shifted towards exports and securing a new global client base that includes international organisations including the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.

Beyond the front lines, the small businesses collaborating in every way they can to contribute and make a positive impact demonstrate how, even in the midst of chaos and despair, hope, resilience, strength and generosity will always prevail.

Media Contact:

Tel: +44 207 338 7805
Email: press@ebrd.com

SOURCE: EBRD